Happy Eikas of July 2026

Eikas is a celebration of Epicurean Philosophy held by the ancient Epicureans on the Twentieth of every month. We hope you will strive to rebuild and participate in Epicurean communities and will celebrate this Eikas. Whether with a nice feast with friends, meditation on Epicurean philosophy, writing, or some other activity.

Quote for this Eikas

"Friendship dances around the world, announcing to each of us that we must awaken to happiness."

Epicurus, Vatican Saying 52.

Greetings, friends. The contemporary Garden of Athens in Greece will be hosting a presentation during a Zoom session this Saturday at 11 AM EST to commemorate the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The Zoom invitation is contained in the link.

I recently read “the Swerve “ by s.Greenblatt and realy enjoyed it . Has this group any reading suggestions for me ? I have limited education , hopefully something accessible. Or a reading suggestion on lucretius ? Thanks in advance

One of the things I take from Epicurus is the idea of cultivating simple and easily available pleasures.

Ones that are free or inexpensive.

Here's a few

I enjoy sitting in the library reading or writing.

A nice beer. One is enough

Peace and quiet

Nap

Listening to music.

Walking around citys looking at buildings and history.

Art galleries

Films

Having a good conversation with a good friend.

Bookshops and books

Cheap live music

What are yours?

The First Herculaneum scroll has been fully digitally unraveled and read. They did this with one of the more damaged scrolls as this specific one has been the subject of near two centuries of attempted opening. It appears to be a work on Stoicism On Gods Volume 8.

Now its simply a matter of improving the model which I expect to happen exponentially. Hundreds of scrolls are available with potentially hundreds to thousands more still stuck in the dig site which is an ongoing excavation (Subject to funding availability) We know the Epicurean Philosopher Virgil was in residence at this library so many unknown or lost works are likely just out if reach. But not for much longer.

Of the known works that remain lost other than the main corpus of Epicurus himself (unless that is what you are looking for) what are you hoping will be unearthed?

Because of an earlier post, i want to remind people that secular religion, where prayer is not taking literally for assistance of the gods but enjoyed for practical benefits and community, is very Epicurean. We must understand that while superstition is rejected, civic religion, with prayer, ritual, festivals, and other affairs are not. Here are all the excerpts below which prove this. All taken from Philodemus On Piety by Dirk Obbink. Slightly edited for clarity.

"Epicurus loyally observed all the forms of worship and enjoined upon his friends to observe them, not only on account of the laws but for physical reasons as well. For in On Lifecourses he says that to pray is natural, for us, not because the gods would be hostile if we did not pray, but in order that, according to the understanding of beings surpassing in power and excellence, we may realize our fulfilments and social conformity with the laws.

On Piety, Column 26

Epicurus says that he shared in all the festivals and that while he was joining in celebrating the festival of the Choes (Drinking day in Dionysus Festival) and the urban mysteries and the other festivals, at a meagre dinner, and that it was necessary for him to celebrate this feast of the twentieth.... they (the founders) thought it right to make use of oaths and epithets of the gods, since their philosophical writing is filled with them. But it is proper to say that Epicurus advised the founders to retain asseverations made by means of these and similar expressions, and above all to preserve those made by Zeus himself.

On Piety Column 29.

"Epicurus warns against violating the covenant of the sacred festival table....also writing to Polyaenus that the Anthesteria (Dionysus festivals) too must be celebrated and that it is necessary to make mention of the gods.

On Piety, Column 30.

"Let us sacrifice to the gods’, Epicurus says, ‘devoutly and fittingly on the proper days, and let us fittingly perform all the acts of worship in accordance with the laws, in no way disturbing ourselves with opinions in matters concerning the most excellent and august of being. Moreover, let us sacrifice justly, on the view that I was giving. For in this way it is possible for mortal nature, by Zeus, to live like Zeus, as it seems."

On Piety, Column 31.

Neocles (Brother of Epicurus and student) says "It is necessary to distribute piously assistance from our money to the Gods"

On Piety, Column 33

In his Symposium, Epicurus says "Let us celebrate the festivals’, and ‘Make fine sacrifices to a god"

On Piety, Column 62.

Hi everyone,

I know I've commented about this before and I've seen other people comment as well. Would anyone else who is interested in combining Epicureanism and Non-Theistic Paganism be interested in connecting, maybe getting together on a discord or something?

Non-Theistic Paganism is having a ritualistic life revering the cycles of nature and science, abstains from worshipping literal spiritual beings (although many do "worship" deities symbolically and don't believe they are actual real entities), reject superstition, and sometimes will practice SASS witchcraft (stands for Skeptical, Agnostic, Atheist, and Science Seeking; basically believing spells and such are good psychologically for mental health and do not believe that anything supernatural or mystical is happening).

Hopefully this is allowed, I feel like these two things are very compatible but it's not necessarily everyone's cup of tea, so maybe it would be useful to have a separate place for us to discuss things without having to clog up this subreddit which is probably mostly people who would not be interested in this. 🤷‍♀️

One of the most important ways in dealing with obstacles in life that Epicureanism teaches, is to remember with gratitude our past good fortune and the many pleasures we've already enjoyed. I recommend Journaling (Something grateful every day) or mediation to increase gratitude.

Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; but remember that what you now have was once among the things only hoped for. - Epicurus, Vatican Saying 35.

We should find solace for misfortune in the happy memory of the things that are gone and in the knowledge that what has come to be cannot be undone. - Epicurus, Vatican Saying 55

We show our feeling for [deceased] friends, not by wailing, but by pleasant recollection - Epicurus, Vatican Saying 66

The saying, "Behold the end of a long life," shows small thanks for past blessings. - Epicurus, Vatican Saying 75.

The Epicureans say the recollection of past blessings is the greatest factor in a pleasant life. Plutarch, That Epicurus actually makes a pleasant life impossible, 18, p. 1099D.

For Epicurus thus presents his Wise Man who is always happy...equipped he enjoys perpetual pleasure, for there is no moment when the pleasures he experiences do not outbalance the pains; since he remembers the past with gratitude, grasps the present with a full realization of its pleasantness, and does not rely upon the future; he looks forward to it, but finds his true enjoyment in the present. Torquatus, from Cicero, on Moral Ends book 1 verse 62.

What is this about? And what lies behind the different suggestions put forward? Would you say that the overarching claim has been demonstrated if there is one, and is there a hidden interlocutor?

 “If anyone thinks that nothing is known, he does not even know whether that can be known, since he declared that he knows nothing. I will not even bother to argue against a person who has put their head where their feet should be. And yet, even if I grant that he knows that still I ask just this:
Since he has never before seen something true in the world, from where does he know what knowing and not knowing are?
What thing created for him his notion of true and false?
What proved to him that doubtful differs from certain?
You will find that the preconception of true has its origin in the senses
And that the senses cannot be refuted.’
 

Happiness is defined by the greatest psychologists as living life in flow state, the state where challenge and ability are in the perfect ratio known. Argued to be the only remedy to the insatiability of man. The best way to grow is through the psychological theory of deliberate practice. One pushes themselves past flow state to the limits of their capabilities to achieve more progress at the cost of enjoyment. These psychological states match almost perfectly the philosophical positions of Nietzsche and Aristotle.

Aristotle's theory of happiness: eudaimonia, states that happiness is the end of all aims, which lies in rationality. Rationality in turn demands of one to live a life of virtue(living within the golden mean). The golden mean is the principle of the middle point between vice and virtue. Flow being the midpoint of ability and challenge, suffering and pleasure is perfectly fitting of this description.

Will to power follows the principle of overcoming. It is based on the condition of life. Natural selection being the process of life overcoming constraints and that being the underlying reason behind all drives. Flow fits into Nietzsche's philosophical worldview as the very purpose of happiness and pleasure are to be evolutionary traits beneficiary to overcoming the constraints of our environment. The difference lies in Aristotle identifying happiness to be a necessary natural conclusion of living out life's purpose(a life of virtue). While for Nietzsche overcoming(will to power) could lead one to a life of misery. As he describes in geneaology of morals(third essay:"What is the meaning of ascetic ideals?") when talking about the optimal lifestyle of the philosopher(The ascetic lifestyle which he describes as most of the time leading to a life of misery).

Nietzsche defines the good as "All that heightens the feeling of power in man"- The Antichrist (Aphorism 2). Where power is measured, whether in military conquest or in art Nietzsche leaves up to the individual. In what makes something great and powerful however there is a metric he applies regardless of the field. It is in overcoming, through the noble act of turning suffering and constraints into strength and power. One may be miserable but if in misery their optimum of power lies, then in it is their purpose.

Nietzsche's philosophy fits the theory of deliberate practice where one forces themselves outside of their golden mean of challenge and ability(flow state), and enters the optimum of growth where they are exposed to the hardest challenges that they can still handle. This is less enjoyable then flow state and may even lead one to misery, but if growth ranks to one above even their enjoyment then it is the right way of life for them.

One point both Nietzsche and Aristotle would agree on is that happiness is an internal state of mind based less in action(circumstances of the world), then reaction(how one interprets the world). Thus through practice one can alter what makes them happy to fit certain lifestyles. One could grow to love the suffering of deliberate practice, they could learn to love suffering and love fate. This is achieved through expanding the zone in which one is in flow state so that one day the greatest suffering is a challenge they can take and enjoy. If the happy slave is worse the the miserably king, the happy king is better then both and the most sublime existence.

I'm looking for people interested in creating a Spanish-speaking Epicurean community. The idea is to set up a Discord server to debate certain aspects of Epicurean doctrine, as well as discuss ways to spread the philosophy across Spanish-speaking countries. If anyone is interested, please comment on this post.

A little collection of lesser known quotes of Epicureans i want to be more known, mostly my own translations, With info on where to find sources. Hope you all enjoy!

He who needs tomorrow the least, enjoys it the most - Epicurus. Plutarch, On Peace of Mind, 16 p. 474C

The greatest fruit of Justice is peace of mind - Epicurus. Clement of Alexandria, Miscellanies, VI.2

Sustainability is the greatest of all riches. - Epicurus. Clement of Alexandria, Miscellanies, VI.2, p.226.38

Cherish men of noble character, and keep him within your sight, living as if he was watching you, and doing everything as he saw your actions" - Epicurus. Seneca, Letters to Lucilius, 11.8

it is nobler, and more pleasant, to give help than to receive it. - Epicurus, Plutarch, Philosophers and Men in Power, 3, p.778E

The memory of a departed friend is pleasant in every way- Epicurus. Plutarch, That Epicurus actually makes a pleasant life impossible, 28, p.1105D.

The Epicureans say the recollection of past blessings is the greatest factor in a pleasant life. Plutarch, That Epicurus actually makes a pleasant life impossible, 18, p. 1099D.

A unnoble soul is made vain by prosperity, and struck down by misfortune - Epicurus. Maximus the Confessor, PG 91, section 316 middle bottom, Catholic Library website.

One cannot be free from fear who inspires fear - Epicurus. Maximus the Confessor, PG 91, section 329 middle bottom, Catholic Library website.

The more you help a friend, the more you help yourself, as their goodwill returns to us. - Polyaenus. Maximus the Confessor, PG 91, section 283 end, Catholic Library website.

Don't lament those who die, such a thing is inevitable, rather lament those who died shamefully - Polyaenus, Maximus the Confessor, PG 91, section 347 top, Catholic Library website.

Do not seek for things to happen as you wish, rather wish for things to happen as they happen - Metrodorus. Maximus the Confessor, PG 91, section 355 end, Catholic Library website.

Neither ridicule nor celebrate those among us, for ridicule invites resentment and celebration invites flattery - Polyaenus, Maximus the Confessor, PG 91, section 356 end, Catholic Encyclopedia website.

I give my gratitude to blessed nature, she has made everything necessary easy to attain, and everything hard to obtain unnecessary - Epicurus. Maximus the Confessor, PG 91, section 364 middle bottom, Catholic Library website.

Habit aims at small things, that when neglected, gain strength - Polyaenus. Maximus the Confessor, PG 91, section 385 middle, Catholic Library website.

If an enemy makes a request, don't immediately reject it, just protect yourself, for they are like a a dog - Epicurus Maximus the Confessor, PG 91, section 391 end, Catholic Library website.

Don't avoid doing small favors, for you will seem like this for bigger matters. - Epicurus. Maximus the Confessor. Could not find on website but accepted by all experts, see Usener 214, Pg. 3, on Attalus.org

The Epicureans criticize those who remove grief, tears, and lamentation when friends die, and say that the absence of grief that renders us completely unemotional stems from another great evil: apathy, or a desire for fame, which has become so excessive that it makes them insane. Hence, they say that it is better to be moved somewhat, to grieve and to melt into tears, and with all the sad emotion they feel and write down, get themselves the name of being soft-hearted and affectionate people. Plutarch, That Epicurus actually makes a pleasant life impossible, 20, p. 1101A:

(It is impossible to live pleasantly without living Wisely, Decently, and Justly) and also living without Fortitude, Temperance, a Noble Spirit, Friendliness, and Benevolence, and generally without all the other Virtues as well, for the greatest problems in our Choices and Avoidances come from taking any action while having the opposing vices - Philodemus, On Choices and Avoidances, Column 14. See Indelli/Tsouna Choices and Avoidances.

Those who believe our proclamations about the Gods will want to imitate their blessedness as much as mortals can, and since blessedness is seen to come by not harming anyone, they will try above all else to be harmless to as many people as they can, and secondly, to make themselves truly noble. - Philodemus, On Piety Column 71. See Obbink "On Piety"

In the same way we call worthless anger an evil because it stems from a unnoble character and causes endless turmoil. One must also say natural anger is not evil, but rather something which stings us, happens because of few things, in which we (use reason well and since it comes) from a noble character, it is not evil but actually good - Philodemus, On Anger. Column 38. See David Armstrong, On Anger

The sum of our happiness consists in our disposition, of which we are masters - Diogenes of Oenoanda. Fragment 112. Translation by Martin Ferguson Smith.

What are the emotions that disturb us? It is our fears of the gods, of death, and of pain, Along with our desires which exceed nature's limits. These are the root of all evil! Which if not removed, many more evils grow from them - Diogenes of Oenoanda. Fragment 34. Edited translation of Martin Ferguson Smith.

We also composed this inscription for those called "foreigners" although they are not really so, for while the various segments of the Earth give different people different countries, the entirety of the world gives all people a single country, the entire Earth, and a single home, the World - Diogenes of Oenoanda. Fragment 30. Edited translation of Martin Ferguson Smith.

Here's hoping we learn more of Philodemus and Epicurus works soon. Such an exciting technological development!

Im on a spiritual journey seeking to learn from various outlooks and paths and on the surface Epicureanism resonates with me well.
What book would you guys recommend to learn about the core beliefs/tenants?

Having a good community is one of the most central parts of the philosophy. So don't forget to celebrate with like-minded people if you can find them. Feel free to reach out to me if you want to.

I am not Jack Gedney the author of the substack just FYI.

PD27: "Of all the means that wisdom provides to make the whole of life blessed and complete by far the most important is friendship"

Please study, feel free to comment, and share the Principal Doctrines with others of like mind.

Also, Twentiers.com updated its Kyriai Doxai translation with commentaries.

Hello, I had a conversation in a Stoic group recently about several ways in which Albert Ellis (founder of REBT, the first cognitive therapy) may have more in common with Epicureans than Stoics. I decided to write up these stray observations and thought you all might find the topic interesting.

Let me know what you think.

They do agree on many things :

Friendship as one of the highest good

The goal of life is Human Flourishing

Moderation is important

Reason should guide life

A good life is stable

Ethics is a way of life not one time actions

I want to merge both the ethics of Epicurus and Aristole into one ethical way of life. Not their other philosophical ideas but just human Flourishing.

I will remove harmful goods that bring more annoyance than plesure. I will follow the Golden mean and my rationality when im trying to be virtuous. I will turn these virtues into habits. I will accept pain that brings more plesure into my life. I will also try to remove harmful thoughts and ideas ( Accepting death as an example ) .

But that being said I will still do some things my own way and read other thinkers such as engaging with the political and social life. My own theological views and other philosophical views that come up in my life.